VAPEX

VAPEX enables comparative analysis of natural virus and phage genomes to investigate gene content, synteny, orthology, and evolutionary relationships.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Database Integration: Integrates a database of fully sequenced natural viruses and phages from the NCBI compendium.
• Genomic Analysis Capabilities: Supports queries to explore genetic makeup, evolutionary history, and functional aspects of viral and phage genomes.
• Visualization of Synteny Maps: Produces fully resolved synteny maps to depict gene order conservation across genomes.
• Orthologous Gene Representation: Simultaneously displays diverse orthologous gene classes using symbolic representation.
• Custom Genome Analysis: Analyzes submitted viral and phage genomes, including unannotated sequences.

Scientific Applications:

• Disease Research: Analysis of viral genetic determinants of pathogenicity and virulence.
• Medical Advancements: Support for development of diagnostics and therapeutic targets based on genomic data.
• Evolutionary Studies: Tracing evolutionary histories and relationships among viral species.
• Environmental Monitoring: Analysis of phages for surveillance of microbial ecosystems.
• Biotechnology Development: Facilitating design and discovery in biotechnology through comprehensive genomic insights.

Methodology:

Leverages database integration and advanced visualization techniques and can handle both annotated and unannotated genomes.